You will be met upon arrival at the airport gate by your experienced Bold Earth expedition leaders. After a complete gear check, to assure that you are prepared for the diverse, demanding and remote regions we explore, we load up and head to our camp in the Ashley National Forest of Utah. During orientation we get to know each other and learn what to expect in the days ahead. Our daily routine, jobs and safety rules are explained and the process of growing together as a group begins.
The start to our awesome summer is a backpack in the Ashley National Forest, just east of Salt Lake City, Utah. We practice "Leave No Trace" camping ethics including proper campsite selection and how to travel safely in the backcountry. Amazing views and wild terrain surround us. The hike will be challenging but moderate enough to assure success for all. We start at the Chepeta Trailhead and hike the first day to our first backcountry campsite near Queant Lake.
We continue our trek through the majestic Uintah mountains as we hike over Fox-Queant Pass and around Fox Lake. We take some time to learn the basics of topographic navigation, using maps and a compass to plan and follow our daily routes. We set up our second backcountry camp, and work together to prepare a delicious group meal in the wilderness.
We wake up surrounded by peaks and forests, pack up our gear, and hike back out to the trailhead with newfound wilderness skills and pride in our accomplishments. After loading up our van, we drive to nearby Green River State Park where we will take a day to rest and resupply in preparation for our river trip on the Colorado River! We also take some time to explore the world-famous outdoor mecca of Moab, Utah - where nearly everything is dedicated to the thrill of adventure - before crossing the border into Colorado for our official raft put-in.
We begin our three day river trip on a stretch of calm water, perfect for acquiring the skills needed to maneuver our rafts and inflatable kayaks. After a leisurely lunch on the riverbank, we proceed downstream and practice our paddling skills and teamwork. We set up a charming camp at night on the banks of the river, and enjoy a campfire under the magnificent Utah stars.
Every bend in the Colorado River stuns the senses as we move through Westwater & Ruby Canyons and float from Colorado across the border into Utah. Going with the flow, we drift beneath sandstone towers and Precambrian rock formations before setting up our final riverside camp.
As the Colorado River descends into the Black Granite Gorge, renowned rapids emerge before our eyes, including Skull Rapid, Funnel Falls and Last Chance. There is plenty of white water, sunshine, sandy beaches, wild life, water fights, as well as time to discover intriguing geology, petroglyphs and ghost mining cabins. We take out just outside of Moab and travel the short distance to our campsite in Arches National Park. The next day, after finishing our journey through the wonders of Arches, we hit the road with our sites set on the magic and mystery of central Utah.
We saddle up for a real Western adventure as we are introduced to our horses and begin a four-day horse packing trip. Local travel for early Utah settlers was often done on horseback, and we continue this timeless form of exploration near Capitol Reef National Park in central Utah. The wranglers of Backcountry Outfitters teach us to ride western saddle and how to care for our horses. Supplies and equipment are carried to our backcountry base camp on pack mules where we enjoy our first of many campfires and cowboy feasts!
After a skillet breakfast, we learn how to groom and saddle our horses before setting out to trail. We spend the day exploring the lakes, streams and wildlife on Boulder Mountain with breathtaking views as far as the eye can see! The high elevation of the mountain (over 11,000 ft) allows us to escape the daytime heat of the Utah desert. At night, our cowboy guides offer primitive skills lessons, such as building a fire the ancient way ... without a match!
Another day of riding the trails and exploring this unique and beautiful region! Our ride is interspersed with short hikes and an optional dip in a high alpine lake. We return to our backcountry base camp for some games, fishing and more down-home cookin'.
Giddy-Up! We saddle up one last time and say goodbye to our guides and horses, concluding our wild west adventure with one final ride into the sunset. We then travel to our next camp near the National Park and enjoy the varied and unique terrain in the shadow of Boulder Mountain.
A service project with the Fremont River Ranger District gives us the opportunity to give back to the beautiful environment in which we have been traveling. We lend a hand in the Fishlake National Forest, completing various conservation projects so future generations can enjoy the natural wonders of this area. This is a hard day of work and your energy and enthusiasm are necessary to make this an effective and enjoyable day of "giving back".
Just southwest of our camp is the refreshing Calf Creek Falls Trail. We cool off in the hot summer sun with a river-walk between mineral-streaked cliffs of Navajo Sandstone. We pass beaver ponds and pre-historic petroglyphs en route to the 126-foot-high Lower Calf Creek Falls. After a swim in the crystal clear pool beneath the falls, we return to our camp and get ready for the next stage of our expedition ... Arizona!
Our road trip continues into the Grand Canyon State, and our first stop is Flagstaff, a vibrant city located just south of the highest mountain range in Arizona. We gear up, resupply and visit the city sites as we get ready for our culminating backpack into the bottom of the Grand Canyon!
After gathering supplies for our backpack, we make sure to stop at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to take in the awe-inspiring views from the top of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. After snapping some unforgettable photos, we continue on to our trailhead campground in preparation for our early morning descent into Havasu Canyon!
Our trip begins with an early wake-up to beat the heat. We hike by flashlight into the magical Havasu Canyon. The sun rises casting glimmers of red light on the walls around us. We reach the bottom early to set up camp, relax, and swim. We have plenty of time to swim in the blue-green tropical lagoon that awaits us at the bottom.
The Supai Indians have lived here since the 1300's and their name literally means "People of the Blue-Green Waters." Their economy is reliant on tourism, with thousands of visitors flocking to this desert oasis each year. We spend the day exploring the falls, pools and cliffs that surround our riverside camp.
The Colorado River is a destination worth hiking to, and we get the chance to do just that. Although the heat can be intense, we keep cool by stopping to swim in the myriad pools and rivers along the way. This trek takes us through lush forest with sporadic waterfalls and swimming holes on the way to the famous Colorado River before returning to our camp at the foot of Havasu Falls.
We spend our last day in the canyon exploring and enjoying this idyllic setting before returning topside. We depart for the rim just before sunset to avoid the scorching desert sun, saying goodbye to Havasu Falls and the Havasupai people. Our last full day on BSP is spent cleaning our gear, preparing for our trip home and enjoying our last evening together just north of Phoenix.
Wake early and head to the airport to say goodbye and wonder where BOLD EARTH could take you next year!!!!
Two CPR and First Aid Certified BOLD EARTH leaders; all ground costs, all ground transportation including airport pickup and drop-off; all camping and camping gear (except sleeping bags, sleep mats and mess kits); all activities and gear listed in the above itinerary; all meals; local gratuities to wait-staff and all hotels or hostels.
Flights to/from Salt Lake City or Phoenix; optional gratuities, extra snacks and souvenirs.
LEARNING • SERVICE • LEADERSHIP
